Arizona shooting victim was a 'social-work hero'

He was remembered as a selfless social worker and a hero who rushed to help victims of the Tucson-area shootings, even as he was dying, said friends and co-workers celebrating the life of Gabe Zimmerman at a public memorial service Monday.

The service, attended by about 300 people, was held at Arizona State University School of Social Work's Tucson office, his alma mater and where Zimmerman prepared for his work in public service.

Zimmerman, an aide to U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, was killed in the fatal shootings at a constituents meeting outside a Safeway store.

At his private funeral Sunday, Giffords' district director, Ron Barber, told mourners that Zimmerman was killed while he was rushing to help Barber and Giffords, who were both shot.

During Monday's memorial service, friends, colleagues and professors hailed Barber's story as Zimmerman's last act of selflessness, which they described as one of his main characteristics.

"Gabe was a social-work hero," said Eric Alfrey, classmate and friend, during the service. "In Gabe . . . we see the best of what it means to be human."

As bouquets of white balloons swayed in the air, people gave impromptu testimonials, sharing memories of a mediator who often provided a calm voice of reason in heated conversations and who was the first to lend a hand when a stranger needed one.

Silver Thread Trio, a local folk group, closed the service with "I'll Fly Away," one of Zimmerman's favorite songs, according to his younger brother Benjamin.

Zimmerman's friends and family challenged the crowd to honor his life by giving to and helping others, as he had wanted to spend his life doing.

"I do want people to remember Gabe," his father, Ross Zimmerman, said after the service, "and remember him in a way that causes you to think about being caring and thankful."

A scholarship fund has been set up in his name: the Arizona State University Gabe Zimmerman Spirit of Service Scholarship.